Where are formula feeding mammas at

[makingdecisionsforme]

Decided today I will throw in the towel for breastfeeding for the second time. With DC1 I ended up pumping exclusively as it didn't work out and day in day out I pumped, until 21 weeks (just shy of 5 months).

I couldn't face the pumps again, from 7 weeks if DH wanted to help with a night feed I stopped pumping a feed and told him to make formula. And from there with each feed dropped I've felt so much better as a mum.

Down to just 7am feed now and it's not going well. From tomorrow I will hand express it until a few weeks when I drop it. DC2 is 12 weeks, will be 15 weeks when I drop it.

Looking for some solidarity from mammas who have walked my shoes to tell me it's ok! And everything will be ok! I feel so happy in my decision but need some extra cheer.

I'm going to caveat this with I've only ever breastfed but it was kind of unintentional; I just didn't know how to stop, I never really intended to do it past 6 weeks or so...now I'm pregnant with my 3rd and hoping to do the same but only because I've no idea what to do with formula or bottles.

You've done an amazing job and if I couldn't have breastfed or found it hard I'd have jacked in long before you and I'd never have had the patience to pump, the odd bottle they never drank when I went on a night out was enough, hats off to you. Do what's right for you and your family 👍🏼

Swapping to formula was the best decision I made for both of mine. Well done!

I swapped to formula at 3 days with both of mine and have not one tiniest regret! Enjoy! 😄🤩

I didn’t even try to breastfeed, was just never interested. No regrets.

Formula is wonderful in that it gives women a choice.

I didn’t breastfeed at all. My little one is happy healthy and thriving! Sending love x

My son is 21. Never had breast milk ever and is totally fine. It will all be okay ❤️

I stopped after 5 days. Didn't even occur to me to pump. Straight onto formula and the best decision I made for sure. DS - who is now 5 - is disgustingly healthy. His idea of a cold is to sneeze a couple of times before bed and that's it.

I formula fed from birth, never regretted it for a second. You have to do what's right for you in order for both of you to be happy and healthy

I pumped duty my first until 8 weeks as he was premature. Cause blockage and infections. Second time round I went straight to formula and I'm so happy he's 12 weeks now and doing great! I never wanted to breastfeed.

I breastfed my DS for about 10 miserable days … supplementing with formula anyway as his latch was so poor he wasn’t getting enough. I was so much happier after giving up and so was he.

breastfed 3 of mine but never lasted past 3 weeks… hats off to you as i just didn’t seem to b able to fill mine up and when i expressed ….it was no wonder it never filled the poor things up🤣 never even bothered with my 4th and did bottle feeding with formula straight away… mine are all grown up now healthy and strong so don’t be put off with thinking u are causing any detriment to baby… you do what you need to do …. a mothers instinct is always the right thing to do…

I bf both my dc till 12 months then started combi feeding 12-14 months then gave up bf totally (they both had formula till 18 months)

I have to say when they happily took bottles
at 12 months I felt so relieved and like a weight had been lifted as I didn’t really enjoy bf after 6/7 months

I never intended to BF either of my 2 and stuck to that.
It worked well for us all as a family and I have no regrets.
I didn't get any support to work it all out though, I had to do that myself and I helped my SIL when she was in a similar situation to you

Absolutely, it's more than okay! Sounds like you've done amazing and are continuing to be an amazing mum by recognising switching to formula is what's right for you and your family. I breastfed for a few weeks and then when I became poorly switched; i was very unkind to myself for a long time about it, but now on reflection realise no need at all, it's brilliant!

Formula fed all three of mine due to various unforeseen circumstances. It wasn’t my initial plan, they are very healthy and thriving. Eldest at almost 15 has plans to go for Oxford to do law and French, middle wants to be either a make up artist or stay at home mum, she’s not sure yet, smallest is feral but bright as a button.

I didn't breastfeed my 23 month old. She's a healthy happy toddler who rarely gets sick and we have an amazing bond. No regrets over my choice.

100% the best thing I did for both of us was to stop the feeding/pumping and go fully to formula.

You have to do what works for your circumstances

I have 5. Two were fully bottle fed. One fully breastfed and two mix fed. Each decision made down to the baby, my health and circumstances at the time and I was happy every time.

if you’re already feeling better about life then it’s the right decision for you!

I was roughly the same. Express fed first for five long months. Breastfed second for about three. No regrets at all - if anything I question my decision to express feed for five months. It was as many hours as a full time job!!!

I quit at 7 weeks due to low milk supply. Although at the time I was very sad for do so (it was like grieving), with hindsight I am so glad I did. Breastfeesing was a heartbreaking struggle. I hated seeing my baby so frustrated.

Once I accepted and started to bottle feed, I was able to relax and focus on bonding with her and it did wonders for our bond. She is almost 10 months now and one of the smiley, lively and content babies you could meet.

Hats off the breastfeeding mothers, it's hard and worthwhile when it works. But I feel no shame, this has worked well for us 🙂

Absolutely nothing to worry about - it’s said to death but it’s so true, a fed baby is what matters ♥️ don’t give it another moments thought, enjoy your baby!

I never breastfeed but wanted to. Sounds good what you have decided.

Absolutely what pp have said. What matters is loving and feeding your baby however you choose. Do what makes you comfortable & happy and your baby will thrive from having a happy mummy. Enjoy.

I breastfed and pumped for about 8 weeks, every feed sucked the life from my whole body, awful feeling. Never would I try again. Formula was the best thing I done.